Vacation Approved

When I think of a vacation, thoughts of blue skies, beautiful beaches and my wife passed out on the beach come to mind. She tends to do that while I stay awake and make sure no one runs away with our stuff. My point is, however, vacation conjures thoughts of escaping reality for fun in the sun. Trade-in sounds of honking horns and train conductors saying, “stand clear of the closing doors,” for the sound of waves crashing against the shore and “sir would you like another rum punch.” For the next installment of my group blogging project with Olfactoria’s Travels, Persolaise, and eyeliner on a cat, we’re talking about vacation perfumes.

Sandy beaches are ideal but every now and then I mix it up and take shorter trips that provide as escape from the everyday routine or the occasional cross country migration to visit family. I don’t know about you but packing can, at times, be a nightmare. What are we doing during the day? How formal will dinner be? Are we meeting anyone for drinks? These are just a few of the questions I ponder while trying to figure out what to pack the night before. Here are a few of my favorite destinations and scents that work great in each.

Philadelphia – Two hours South of NYC, Philadelphia is quickly becoming a favorite destination for me. The city is filled with awesome spots to eat and the energy is just great. Atelier’s Bois Blond is perfect for a weekend stay. This chameleon is soft and unassuming but man, as it develops, it truly reveals a sophistication and elegance. In many ways, it mirrors what I love about the city. That clean Neroli opening gives way to a musky earthy dry down that’s just beautiful.

Bermuda – Just two hours away from NYC, Bermuda is a quick jaunt that gives you all you crave for Caribbean sun and fun. The heat can be serious depending on when you go and for that, I adore Eau d’Italie’s Paestum Rose. This is one of those scents where its notes can be tricky. They include pink pepper, coriander and cedarwood, which imply spice. But its charm is the way those notes are surrounded. Paestum Rose opens softly but as it ages becomes sensual. When I wear it, I’m often reminded that it’s me that smells so good when the heat from the sun would otherwise mean its time to run for a shower.

Vancouver – Americans love to rag on their Canadian brothers. While they’re a neighboring country, we can feel worlds apart. That all changed the first time I visited this Pacific Northwestern city. Those mountains, the weather, the friendly people, and what felt like purified air instantly made Vancouver a loveable city. Odin’s 06 Amau is what I’d wear in this cute, unassuming city. It’s a crispy, earthy scent that opens with a burst of energy and freshness. Every time I wear it, I ask myself what don’t I wear it more. I’ve also asked myself, why haven’t I moved to Vancouver yet!

Miami – What isn’t there to love about this sexy city? The first time I went, I was amazed by all of the architecture, color, and music. Since then, the city has really become a destination of choice, particularly for New Yorkers. Some say it’s our Caribbean escape. Every time I’ve been, it’s been HOT. The warm weather I’ve experienced left you wanting to shower shortly after stepping out into the sun. It’s a white linen shirt city and for that I love Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Cologne Pour le Matin. I find this scent sexy. It’s clean, herbaceous, and powdery and every time I wear it, I think of lying in hammock with the sounds of waves crashing against the shore.

I was just going to say that very thing, Birgit! I think it’s a sweet image. 🙂 Barney, you obviously don’t mind hot weather, but for me, the only place I can manage it is Las Vegas, where there’s always an air-conditioned casino or restaurant nearby.

I haven’t been to a single destination on your list but I know and like your first three perfume choices so I look forward to trying each combo eventually. I’ll probably skip the forth one – both the city and the perfume.